EXIM Bank Offers $6 Billion for Argentina's $51 Billion LNG Project

The U.S. Export-Import Bank has offered up to $6 billion in financing for Argentina's massive LNG project, valued at $51 billion.

The project, led by YPF alongside Eni and XRG, aims to monetize the Vaca Muerta shale gas reserves through exports to international markets.

The Andes-Atlantic Corridor initiative, a joint U.S.-Argentina effort, is driving this investment. The corridor seeks to modernize shared infrastructure across the region, with EXIM financing specifically structured around American goods and services.

The project's resource base will be tapped by two floating LNG units offshore Río Negro province, capable of exporting 13.2 million tons per year. Major contracts have been awarded to McDermott for gas treatment and liquids fractionation facilities and a pipeline consortium led by Pumpco, but these are contingent on a final investment decision expected by the end of 2026.

The project's application to Argentina's RIGI investment incentive regime is also underway, which aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty and attract large-scale foreign capital.